Good resources on offshore incorporation (taxes, legal work,...)?

What about those Delaware incroporation sites? (Google for it). Are those scams? I don't really want to incorporate in Europe because the paperwork just drives me nuts.

A key point to consider is that regardless of where you incorporate, you still have to work within the legal framework of where you're doing business. For example, if I incorporate in Nevada or Delaware and I'm located in California, I have to file paperwork with California to get permission to do business in the state, and I have to pay California taxes. Check with a local attorney about Japan's legal requirements for foreign companies to work locally. And, if it satisfies your needs, then Delaware and Nevada are good options. I used corporate.com and I'm happy with their service. Of course, they'll only do the basic filing for you; after that you still need to do more paperwork, especially around taxes.

If you're running a web based business (eg: not a retailer, but where everything is an online service) then the domicile of the business is the web, not any nationality. In other words, you can incorporate anywhere you wish and its legitimate- the act of incorporation creates the domicile for the business.

If you're going to do business in Japan to the point that you have above ground employees (taxes, social security, etc.) then you'll have to find out the Japanese laws. Even then it probably makes sense to incorporate outside of Japan for tax reasons. A foriegn corporation operating in a country is generaly treated differently (and better) than a domestic corporation.

But, if not, then you can incorporate in any jurisdiction which is friendly to corporations.

I would strongly recommend you do not incorporate in the US. The USA is not a friendly jurisdiction for corporations and all the trends are that it is getting worse. Ths US has enacted currency controls, limiting ones ability to move money in and out of the country-- this is the first step in the creation of an "iron curtain". (Requiring passports of people who travel, as the US started doing in January is the second step.)

It is only appropriate to incorporate in america if your business is completely located in america. (If you want to find out what your government does all day, just file business papers in many states- over the next 6 weeks you'll get contacted by many dozens of different agencies, all of whom want you to do paperwork and give them money. Texas is an exeption to this, Nevada may be as well.)

Ok, on to the real advice-- look at countries that are pro-business, or who are, or used to be tax havens. The caymen islands and bahamas are obvious choices, but also st kitts and nevis are worth checking out. You can legally incorporate there. Some of these islands have restrictions about the business you can operate there, but are happy to incorporate foriegn businesses (that is to say, its easier if you'll not be opening an office on their soil).

Along those lines- ex UK protectorates, consider the Isle of Man (or is it the Isle of Wight?) and closer to home, New Zealand and Australia. These latter two are high tax states, but are closer and may prove to be good choices for you.

Also consider the united arab emerites, monaco and Mauritius. These are a different style, but they may prove to be good places.

Finally, probably the best place to incorporate is Panama. Their government is oriented around providing services to foriegn industry... starting with the canal, but also ships registry, bank registration, incorporation and trust services, etc. This is probably one of the easiest places to do it.

If you're planning to bank outside of Japan, you might consider incorporating in Switzerland, so that your corporation and your bank can have closer ties. But I haven't looked into that much.

Its hard to find good information on this subject, probably because US courts have thrown people in jail for giving "Advice on how to avoid US taxes"... so, while this isn't a tax dodge (you're not a US citizen) people are wary of talking about it.